Luanda– The 14 eco-regions (fauna and flora landscaping unit) distributed by some provinces of the country, which position Angola in first place, at African level, followed by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), can contribute to the economic development of the region, said Tuesday in Luanda the deputy Minister of Environment, Syanga Abílio. 

“The world lives a moment of financial crisis and global warming, and in light to the strategies of diversification of the economy, we have to start think on biodiversity, as a factor which can contribute towards the expansion and growth of the economy, through the promotion of activities related to the eco-tourism”, suggested Syanga Abílio, during the opening of the seminar on “the importance of maintenance of conservation areas in Angola.   

For the purpose, the deputy Minister of Environment expressed the need to increasing the financial resources, for the rehabilitation of areas existent already  and others about to be created, aiming at reaching a goal of 15 per cent in national territory against the current 6.6 percentage.

According to the official, in the ambit of the programme for 2009-2013, the government, through the Ministry of Environment, will strengthen the capacity of preserving biodiversity, with the recovering of mangoes trees in Cabinda and other actions aimed at reinforcing the importance of natural resources available. 

The meeting, expected to conclude next Tuesday, is held in light to the project of strengthening of Angolan peace process, through the integration of former soldiers in measures of protection and management of conservation areas, implemented by department of management and coordination of biodiversity of Ministry of Environment (MINAMB), in association with the Socio- Professional Reintegration of Ex-soldiers.